Packaging

Abstract

A carton includes one or more fold-guiding mechanisms. Each fold-guiding mechanism is positioned to facilitate folding of the carton. Each fold-guiding mechanism comprises two weakened lines that diverge from a first location on the carton and that converge on a second location on the carton. The first and second locations are spaced apart and are positioned on a notional line defining a primary deformation region of the respective fold guiding mechanism

1 . A carton formed from foldable material, the carton comprising at least one fold-guiding mechanism, the at least one fold-guiding mechanism positioned to facilitate folding of the carton, the at least one fold-guiding mechanism comprising two weakened lines that diverge from a first location on the carton and that converge on a second location on the carton, the first and second locations being spaced apart and being positioned on a notional line defining a primary deformation region of the at least one fold guiding mechanism. 
     
     
         2 . A carton according  claim 1  wherein the two weakened lines are arcuate in shape and have a similar radius and have a similar maximum width as measured from said notional line. 
     
     
         3 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the two weakened lines are arcuate in shape and have a different radius and have a different maximum width as measured from said notional line. 
     
     
         4 . A carton according to  claim 3  wherein one of the weakened lines has a peak which is not positioned immediately opposite to the peak of the other of the weakened lines. 
     
     
         5 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one fold-guiding mechanism further comprises a weakened aspect at least in part extending between the two weakened lines. 
     
     
         6 . A carton according to  claim 5  wherein the weakened aspect comprises a fold line between the two weakened lines. 
     
     
         7 . A carton according to  claim 5  wherein the weakened aspect comprises an embossed region between the two weakened lines. 
     
     
         8 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second locations are positioned on different panels of the carton and the at least one fold-guiding mechanism spans a corner of the carton. 
     
     
         9 . A carton according to  claim 8  wherein the corner spanned by the at least one fold-guiding mechanism is between a top panel and a side panel of the carton. 
     
     
         10 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the two weakened lines are formed by one or more selected from the group consisting of a full depth cut and crease line, a half depth cut and crease line, an embossed line, a score line, and a perforation. 
     
     
         11 . A carton according to  claim 10  wherein each of said two weakened lines is a half depth cut and crease line. 
     
     
         12 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one fold-guiding mechanism comprising two or more fold-guiding mechanisms and wherein each of the fold-guiding mechanisms is evenly spaced from each adjacent fold-guiding mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one fold-guiding mechanism comprising two or more fold-guiding mechanisms and wherein each of the fold-guiding mechanisms is unevenly spaced from each adjacent fold-guiding mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . A carton according to  claim 12  wherein an additional weakened line is positioned to link the fold-guiding mechanisms. 
     
     
         15 . A carton according to  claim 13  wherein an additional weakened line is positioned to link the fold-guiding mechanisms 
     
     
         16 . A carton according to  claim 1  further comprising a handle structure in a top wall of the carton, and the at least one fold-guiding mechanism is positioned in at least one of the top wall and an adjacent side wall of the carton, and wherein the at least one fold-guiding mechanism co-operates with the handle to facilitate lifting of the handle. 
     
     
         17 . A carton according to  claim 16  further comprising opposed top end closure panels hingedly connected to the top wall, wherein the top wall and the top end closure panels each comprises components of a curved corner arrangement. 
     
     
         18 . A carton blank formed from foldable material, the blank comprising at least one fold-guiding mechanism, the at least one fold-guiding mechanism positioned to facilitate folding of the blank, the at least one fold-guiding mechanism comprising two weakened lines that diverge from a first location on the carton and that converge on a second location on the carton, the first and second locations being spaced apart and being positioned on a notional line defining a primary deformation region of the at least one fold guiding mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . A blank according  claim 18  wherein the two weakened lines are arcuate in shape and have a similar radius and have a similar maximum width as measured from said notional line. 
     
     
         20 . A blank according to  claim 18  wherein the two weakened lines are arcuate in shape and have a different radius and have a different maximum width as measured from said notional line.